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Business and Human Rights

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The Australian Government believes that business and respect for human rights go hand in hand. Businesses must comply with all Australian laws. In addition, under international law, the government is obliged to ensure that non-state actors, including businesses, respect human rights.

Corporate responsibility to respect human rights is now well recognised and supported by businesses and governments alike. In addition to meeting legal obligations, there are many benefits to business for respecting human rights:

ensuring, as global citizens, that no unintended consequences result from business practices.

The government promotes responsible business conduct in a number of ways, including by:

Enforcing domestic laws that incorporate human rights obligations in business operations, including in relation to fair employment conditions, non-discrimination in the workplace, and serious misconduct such as forced labour, slavery and torture.

Establishing robust Commonwealth Procurement Rules, which ensure that businesses providing goods or services to the government do no use products affected by human trafficking, slavery or slavery-like practices in supply chains.

Engaging with industry and civil society, including through the National Dialogue on Business and Human Rights, convened by the Global Compact Network Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission for the second time in August 2015.

The Australian Human Rights Commission also promotes responsible business conduct, including by producing guidance material for business.